John Coffee Memorial Bridge / NPS

The National Park Service is looking for public input on an environmental assessment (EA) for replacing the John Coffee Memorial Bridge (Tennessee River Bridge) on the Natchez Trace Parkway. This nearly mile-long bridge, located about 6 miles north of Cherokee, Alabama, spans the Tennessee River. The EA examines the potential effects of building a new bridge and tearing down the existing one.

Estimated costs for replacing the bridge are $431 million. It's unclear from the NPS release where the funds would come from. 

You can share your comments online at NPS PEPC - Natchez Trace Parkway - Docs Open for Comment or by mail to:
Natchez Trace Parkway
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway
Tupelo, MS 38804
Attn: Superintendent

The comment period runs from November 20, 2024, to January 6, 2025. Mailed comments must be postmarked by January 6. Feedback collected during this time will help identify concerns to address in the environmental review.

A public meeting will take place on December 3, 2024, at the Cherokee Senior Center (1249 2nd Street, Cherokee, AL 35616) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The EA was developed under the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate project alternatives, assess potential impacts on natural and cultural resources, and identify ways to minimize those impacts. This process provides a framework for making informed decisions about the project.